Arms Control & Counter-Proliferation

 After Putin’s suspension of New START, the United States should not chase Russia back into compliance. The U.S. should use Russia’s suspension as a wake-up call to get serious at the dawn of a three-way nuclear competition with Russia and China. Here are the steps the United States should take to confront the evolving threat environment following this wake-up call.  

In the face of Russian saber-rattling, it is imperative that the U.S. show commitment to its own nuclear deterrent and willingness to take no option off the table if Russia attacks its vital interests. Read the report.

President Biden will soon issue a revised "declaratory policy" to guide the conditions for using the nuclear deterrent. Unfortunately, the policy change will not lead to any reciprocal action by our adversaries. Instead, it will create confusion and spread doubt in our allies.

 The Biden Administration is considering a proposal to abandon pacing U.S. homeland ballistic missile defenses against even the rogue state threat from North Korea. This is especially risky and should be rejected in favor of the longstanding bipartisan missile defense policy. Read FAL's memo and backgrounder here. 

 Congress and the Biden Administration must be careful not to fall into Putin's negotiating traps. FAL's memo reviews Russian tactics and U.S. goals for the talks, and provides Congress and the Executive Branch recommendations for how to make negotiations successful.  

 In its Missile Defense Review (MDR), the Biden Administration should be careful to avoid a repeat of its predecessors’ mistakes by issuing a missile defense strategy and policy that can last beyond the next Presidential election and continue policies and programs that will strengthen U.S. national security.  Read the report.